(Photo by Romain Maurice/Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the cusp of their fourth consecutive playoff appearance and third consecutive NFC South title.
If the Buccaneers succeed, it’ll be the team’s first playoff appearance without quarterback Tom Brady since 2007, when they were coached by Jon Gruden and quarterbacked by Jeff Garcia.
They’ll need to win on the road against the Carolina Panthers first, though, to secure the division and the postseason berth.
The matchup doesn’t sound difficult, as the Buccaneers beat the Panthers, 21-18, back in Week 13, but it nevertheless will decide their season.
Tampa Bay will have one marquee viewer, as well: Tom Brady.
The legendary quarterback said on his “Let’s Go!” podcast this week that he’ll be watching his former team look to lock up the division crown.
“They got a chance to win the division playing against Carolina,” Brady said. “That’s certainly one I’ll be watching.”
Win it, and you’re in for the @Buccaneers.
“That’s certainly one I’ll be watching” – TB@TomBrady & @JimGrayOfficial on this week's Let's Go!
NOW Available on the @SIRIUSXM App:
https://t.co/uqPRryMvx2 pic.twitter.com/DJrq0mtcgE
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) January 5, 2024
The Buccaneers have effectively the same roster Brady played with this past season, just with Baker Mayfield under center instead.
And while Mayfield isn’t yet the caliber of quarterback Brady was, he’s done a great job with the team under new offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
The Panthers have almost nothing to play for, too, after bequeathing their first-round pick (now the No. 1 overall selection) to the Chicago Bears in their 2023 trade to select Bryce Young.
That isn’t a good thing, though, as Carolina will almost assuredly want to play spoiler to their divisional foe.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, will be fighting to play another game and would get to host their wildcard matchup in the first round of the playoffs.
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